Face shield

ABSTRACT

Protective face shield and mounting means therefor which enable quick and easy structural association and disassociation relative to protective headgear, such as a helmet shell, while providing positive restraint against rotation or pivoting movement of the face shield inwardly toward the face of a wearer.

United States Patent I I I I Des. 207,900 6/ I 967 Feldmann et al.'

Frederick W. Feldmann; Rodney S. Hill, Dover, Del. 755,464

Aug. 26, 1968 May 4, 1971 [LC Industries, Inc. Dover, Del.

Inventors Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee FACE SHIELD 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl Int. Cl A61f9/04 Field of Search 2/3, 5, 6, 8,

9, 10;DES2/232 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1941 Blodjer 2/10 2,447,083 8/ I 948 Moeller 2/8 2,934,767 5/1960 Schoener 2/10 FOREIGN PATENTS 596,959 8/1925 France 2/l0 Primary Examiner-James R. Boler Att0rneysH. Gordon Dyke and Michael A. Sileo, Jr.

ABSTRACT: Protective face shield and mounting means therefor which enable quick and easy structural association and disassociation relative to protective headgear, such as a helmet shell, while providing positive restraint against rotation or pivoting movement of the face shield inwardly toward the face of a wearer.

FACE SHIELD This invention relates generally to protective headgear and, more particularly, to protective face shield and means for mounting thereof with a helmet shell.

v M the outset, it is to be expressly understood that while the present invention is described, disclosed, illustrated and shown as applied to a protective face shield for utilization with a helmet shell, such description, disclosure, illustration and showing is to be construed and interpreted as being exemplary only and that the present invention is equally applicable to substantially any shield and support combination including, without limitation, sun shields, wind shields, welders shields, mechanics shields, machinists shields, adapted to be utilized with protective helmets, hats, caps, suspension harnesses, and the like.

The present invention provides novel and improved face shields and means for mounting face shields with adjacent structures, such as protective helmet shells.

The present invention further provides novel and improved protective face shields and mounting means which may be readily, quickly and easily operated to provide association and disassociation of such face shields relative to such protective headgear.

Yet further, the present invention provides such novel and improved face shields and mounting means therefor adapted to positively preclude relative rotation between such face shields and protective headgear.

'Yet still further, the present invention provides such novel and improved protective face shields and mounting means therefor adapted to positively prevent pivoting of the face shield inwardly toward the face of a wearer.

In addition to the foregoing, the present invention provides novel and improved protective face shields and mounting means therefor that comprise means on the upper-inner ear portion of the face shield that abut chin strap snaps on the protective headgear.

Yet further, in addition to each of the foregoing, the present invention provides novel and improved face shields and mounting means therefor utilizing a pair of snap fasteners appropriately located for removably securing such face shield to protective headgear, such as a helmet shell.

Another and yet still further feature of the present invention is the provision of novel and improved face shields and mounting means therefor comprising a plurality of generally upwardly extending tongue members adapted to cooperate with protective headgear, such as a helmet shell to secure such face shield thereto and prevent rotation therebetween.

It is yet another feature of the present invention that novel and improved face shield and mounting means therefor may be constructed in accordance therewith which are both economical and durable.

The present invention resides in the combination, construction, arrangement and disposition of the various component parts and elements incorporated in improved face shields and mounting means therefor constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention. The present invention will vbe better understood and objects and important features other than those specifically enumerated above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following details and description, which when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawing, describes, discloses, illustrates and shows a certain preferred embodiment or modification of the present invention which is presently considered and believed to be the best mode of practicing the principles thereof. Other embodiments or modifications may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein, and such other embodiments or modifications are intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and spirit of the subjoined claims.

IN THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric illustration of a helmet shell and protective face shield constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and adapted to be secured therewith;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational partial view of the face shield and helmet shell of the preceding FIG. in assembled relationship;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional partial view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional partial view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional partial view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

With reference now to the drawing, there is shown and illustrated protective headgear, such as a helmet shell designated generally by the reference character I0 adapted to have a novel and improved face shield constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally by the reference character 12 associated therewith.

As heretofore pointed out, the present invention is equally applicable for use with substantially any headgear or support harness and, accordingly, the helmet 10 is illustrated asbeing exemplary only and may comprise substantially any desired helmet structure and configuration. Therefore, the helmet 10 will not be described further except to point out that it may comprise a generally hemispherical shell portion 14 and a visor or peak portion 16 integrally formed therewith and extending generally outwardly, forwardly and downwardly thereof molded, for example, of a plastic or reinforced plastic material; an edging 18 extending peripherally thereabout and fabricated, for example, by-extruding a rubber or elastomeric material to a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration; and snap members 20 extendinggenerally inwardly of the hemispherical portion 14 on each side thereof at locations adapted to overlie the wearers temples to enable securement therewith of a chin strap 22 provided with cooperating snap means 24, in a well known manner. The chin strap 22, as clearly shown in the drawing, may aid and assist in retaining the face shield 12 in proper position although the chin strap is not necessary in so retaining the face shield, as also clearly shown, the face shield 12 being generally rigid.

The face shield 12 may comprise a shield portion 26 which may, in accordance with the desired usage thereof be optically clear and transparent, be polarized, be colored, or may comprise various filtering materials and pigments. The shield portion 26 and, in fact, the entire face shield 12 may, for example, be integrally fabricated, as by molding, of a clear and transparent plastic material, such as Lexan. The face shield portion 26 may further be of substantially any desired contour and configuration, including, without limitation, planar or flat, be curved in a plurality of directions or, as shown, may be curved in only a single direction, that is, to define a generally cylindrical surface,'or the locus of a line moving always parallel.

As heretofore pointed out, the face plate 12 may be integrally molded of a clear plastic material to accordingly define the viewing or face plate portion 26 and the perimeter of the face plate 12 comprising an upper edge 28, a lower edge 30, a left rear edge 32, a right rear edge 34 and a plurality of generally upstanding tongue members such as a left rear tongue member 36, a right rear tongue member 38, a left forward tongue member 40 and a right forward tongue member 42. It may be readily seen that the left rear and forward tongue members 36 and 40 form a left pair of tongue members; the right rear and forward tongue members 38 and 42, respectively, define a right pair of tongue members; the left and right rear tongue members 36 and 38 respectively, define a rear pair of tongue members; and the forward left and right tongue members 40 and 42, respectively, define a forward pair of tengue members. As the left and right rear tongue members 36 and 38, respectively, and the left and right forward tongue members 40 and 42, respectively, are substantially mirror images of one another, only the left pair of tongue members, comprising the left rear tongue member 36 and the left forward tongue member 40 will be hereinafter described in detail, it being expressly understood that the right pair of tengue members are substantially similar thereto and mirror images thereof.

, The left rear tongue member 36 may comprise, generally, a continuation of the face plate 12 and may be defined by the rear edge 32, an upper edge 44 and a forward edge 46. At the lowermost portion of the forward edge 46, there may be provided a generally semicircular notch 48, as shown, for stress relief purposes.

The left forward tongue member 40 may extend both upwardly of the face shield 12 and be generally laterally displaced therefrom, being of generally L-shaped configuration, comprising a generally horizontally extending lower portion 50, a generally vertically extending upper portion 52 and a generally angularly extending intermediate or transition portion 54 extending therebetween. Accordingly, the upper portion 52 may be generally parallel and spaced-apart from the adjacent portion of the face shield 12. The tongue member 40 may be further defined by a rear edge 56, a forward edge 56 and an upper edge 60. The notch may extend between the forward edge 46 of the rearward tongue 36 and the rearward edge 56 of the forward tongue 40. There may be further provided a forward notch 50 at the lower end of the forward edge 53, for stress relief purposes.

The upper portion 52 of the tongue member 40 may further be provided with means, such as a snap fastener member 62, secured therewith, as by means of a rivet 64 to enable securement thereof with the helmet shell 14 as by means of engagement thereof with a snap fastener mating member 66, structurally associated with the helmet shell 14, as by means of a rivet 68 in the temple portion thereof, generally forwardly and upwardly of the chin strap snap 20. Preferably, the snap fastener member 66 is positioned a distance above the lower edge of the helmet shell 14 substantially equal to the length of the tongue member 40, that is, to the combined length of the intermediate and upper portions 54 and 52, respectively. Accordingly, when the snap fastener members 62 and 66 are engaged, one with the other, the face place 12 will be disposed in position relative to the helmet shell 14 with the lower generally horizontal portion 50 of the tongue member 40 being engaged with the lower edge of the edging 18; with the edging 16 extending through the slots 48 and 50; with the upper edge 28 of the face plate 12 being in engagement with the under surface of the visor or peak 16; and with the upper edge Ml of the rear tongue member 36 being engaged on the bottom of the chin strap snap 20. Moreover, the tongue member 60 will be disposed generally externally .of the helmet shell 14 and, accordingly, may be referred to as an external tongue member and the tongue member 36 will be disposed generally interiorly of the helmet shell 14 and, accordingly, may be referred to as an interior tongue member. Yet further, the upper edge 28 of the face plate. 12 will similarly be disposed generally internally of the helmet shell M.

As heretofore pointed out, the tongue members 36 and 412 would be similarly associated with the helmet shell M at the right temple thereof.

With the snap members 62 and 66 engaged, and the tongue members and edge portions disposed in engagement with the helmetshall M, as herein immediately above described, it is now believed readily apparent that the face plate 12 will be securely positioned relative to the helmet shell M, with the various engagements therebetween effectively precluding rotation or inward pivoting movement of the face plate toward the ace of the wearer.

Yet further, the snap fastener members 62 and 66 enable a slight degree of resilient movement between the face plate 12 and the helmet shell M, as may be required to compensate for manufacturing tolerance variations, as required.

As heretofore pointed out, the chin strap 22 may aid and assist in retaining the rearward tongue members 36 and 38 engaged with the chin strap snaps but, the strength of the tongue members 36 and 33 and the engagement of the tongue members 40 and 62 externally of the helmet shell 14 are sufficient, without the presence of the chin strap 22 to retain the inward or rearward pair of tongue members 36 and 38 engaged with the chin strap snaps 20.

subjoined claims, along with other similardirectional terminology, is to be construed and interpreted in its normal and accepted sense. However, such terminology is not to be construed or interpreted in a limiting sense either in the preceding description or interpreted in a limiting sense either in the preceding description or the subjoined claims, since the same is used merely to facilitate an understanding of, and to clearly set forth and particularly define the present invention.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in terms of a preferred embodiment or modification which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limited by the precise embodiments or modifications herein described, disclosed, illustrated or shown, such other embodiments or modifications as may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein being intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and breadth of the claims hereto appended.

We claim:

l. A face shield device adapted to be readily and easily secured to and removed from a protective headgear while being secured positioned relative thereto and precluded from relative rotational movement comprising: a face shield; a first pair of spaced, substantially rigid tongue members extending generally upwardly from the top portion of said face shield, said first pair of tongue members positioned so as to overlap one of the surfaces of the lower wall of said headgear and provide a ledge for receiving the lower edge of said headgear; a second pair of spaced; substantially rigid tongue members extending upwardly from the top portion of said face shield, said second pair of tongue members positioned to overlap the other surface of the lower wall of said headgear and abut against the lower portion of said headgear; said first and second pairs of tongue members arranged to position the face shield in fixed relationship with said headgear with the lower wall of said headgear positioned therebetween adjacent to said ledge and with one each of said pair of tongue members being adapted to be disposed along the margin of the headgear generally above one of the temples of a wearer to provide balanced support of said face shield; and mating attaching means positioned on said headgear and said pair of outer tongue members for securing said face shield in fixed relationship to said headgear.

2. Face shield defined in claim 1 wherein an upper edge portion of said face shield medial of said tongue members is adapted to abut the headgear to further preclude rotation relative thereto.

3. Face shield defined in claim 1 adapted to fit on headgear having a generally forwardly extending peak wherein an upper edge portion of said face shield medial of said tongue members is adapted to abut the underside of such peak and the rearmost of each of said pair of tongue members is adapted to be disposed internally of the headgear.

4. A face shield device adapted to be readily and easily secured to and removed from a protective headgear having forwardly extending peak and chin strap secured by snap fastener means thereto while being securely positioned relative thereto and precluded from relative rotational movement comprising: a face shield; a pair of spaced substantially rigid outer tongue members extending generally upwardly from the top portion of said face shield, said pair of outer tongue members positioned so as to overlap the outer lower surface of said headgear; a pair of spaced inner substantially rigid tongue members extending generally upwardly from the top portion of said face shield, said pair of inner tongue members positioned to overlap the inner surface of said headgear rearward of said first pair of tongue members and to abut and engage said chin trap, each pair of tongue members adapted to position the face shield in fixed relationship with said headgear with the top medial portion of said face shield adapted to abut saidpeak and the lower wall of said headgear positioned therebetween; one of each tongues from said outerand'inner pair of tongue members adapted to be disposed generally above one of the temples of a wearer; mating snap fastener .means positioned in said headgear and said pair of spaced outer tongue members for attaching said face shield in fixed relationship to said headgear.

5. Face shield defined in claim 4 wherein said external tongue members comprise a generally horizontal portion adapted to be engaged with a lower edge of the headgear and a generally vertically extending portion structurally associated therewith and wherein said snap fastener means is secured with said generally vertically extending portion.

6. Face shield defined in claim 4 fabricated entirely of a clear plastic material and comprising a generally semicylindrical surface.

7. A protective headgear device having a removable face shield adapted to be readily and easily secured to and removed from said headgear while being securely positioned relative thereto and precluded from relative rotational movement comprising: a protective headgear having on the wall surface thereof face shield attaching means; a face shield having a first pair of spaced, substantially rigid tongue members extending generally upwardly from the top portion of said face shield, said first pair of tongue members positioned so as to overlap one of the surfaces of the lower wall of said headgear and provide a ledge for receiving the lower edge of said headgear; a

second pair of spaced, substantially rigid tongue members extending upwardly from the top portion of said face shield, said second pair of tongue members positioned to overlap the other surface of the lower wall of said headgear and abut against the lower portion of said headgear; said first and second pairs of tongue members arranged to position the face shield in fixed relationship with said headgear with the lower wall of said headgear positioned therebetweenadjacent to said ledge and with one each of said pair of tongue members being adapted to be disposed along the margin of the headgear generally above one of the temples of a wearer to provide balanced support of said face shield; and headgear attaching means positioned in said pair of spaced outer tongue members in mating relationship with said attaching means on said headgear for securing said face shield to said headgear.

8. Means for mounting a face shield structure with a headgear support structure comprising: in combination, first and second plurality of substantially rigid spaced tongue members extending generally upwardly of said shield member, said first plurality of tongue members disposed on one surface of said headgear and said second plurality of tongue members disposed on the opposite side thereof to position the marginal edge of said headgear therebetween; separable fastener means for securing at least one of said plurality of tongue members to said headgear structure; and said plurality of tongue members being adapted to engage abutment means positioned on the headgear support structure to preclude rotation relative thereto. 

1. A face shield device adapted to be readily and easily secured to and removed from a protective headgear while being secured positioned relative thereto and precluded from relative rotational movement comprising: a face shield; a first pair of spaced, substantially rigid tongue members extending generally upwardly from the top portion of said face shield, said first pair of tongue members positioned so as to overlap one of the surfaces of the lower wall of said headgear and provide a ledge for receiving the lower edge of said headgear; a second pair of spaced; substantially rigid tongue members extending upwardly from the top portion of said face shield, said second pair of tongue members positioned to overlap the other surface of the lower wall of said headgear and abut against the lower portion of said headgear; said first and second pairs of tongue members arranged to position the face shield in fixed relationship with said headgear with the lower wall of said headgear positioned therebetween adjacent to said ledge and with one each of said pair of tongue members being adapted to be disposed along the margin of the headgear generally above one of the temples of a wearer to provide balanced support of said face shield; and mating attaching means positioned on said headgear and said pair of outer tongue members for securing said face shield in fixed relationship to said headgear.
 2. Face shield defined in claim 1 whErein an upper edge portion of said face shield medial of said tongue members is adapted to abut the headgear to further preclude rotation relative thereto.
 3. Face shield defined in claim 1 adapted to fit on headgear having a generally forwardly extending peak wherein an upper edge portion of said face shield medial of said tongue members is adapted to abut the underside of such peak and the rearmost of each of said pair of tongue members is adapted to be disposed internally of the headgear.
 4. A face shield device adapted to be readily and easily secured to and removed from a protective headgear having forwardly extending peak and chin strap secured by snap fastener means thereto while being securely positioned relative thereto and precluded from relative rotational movement comprising: a face shield; a pair of spaced substantially rigid outer tongue members extending generally upwardly from the top portion of said face shield, said pair of outer tongue members positioned so as to overlap the outer lower surface of said headgear; a pair of spaced inner substantially rigid tongue members extending generally upwardly from the top portion of said face shield, said pair of inner tongue members positioned to overlap the inner surface of said headgear rearward of said first pair of tongue members and to abut and engage said chin trap, each pair of tongue members adapted to position the face shield in fixed relationship with said headgear with the top medial portion of said face shield adapted to abut said peak and the lower wall of said headgear positioned therebetween; one of each tongues from said outer and inner pair of tongue members adapted to be disposed generally above one of the temples of a wearer; mating snap fastener means positioned in said headgear and said pair of spaced outer tongue members for attaching said face shield in fixed relationship to said headgear.
 5. Face shield defined in claim 4 wherein said external tongue members comprise a generally horizontal portion adapted to be engaged with a lower edge of the headgear and a generally vertically extending portion structurally associated therewith and wherein said snap fastener means is secured with said generally vertically extending portion.
 6. Face shield defined in claim 4 fabricated entirely of a clear plastic material and comprising a generally semicylindrical surface.
 7. A protective headgear device having a removable face shield adapted to be readily and easily secured to and removed from said headgear while being securely positioned relative thereto and precluded from relative rotational movement comprising: a protective headgear having on the wall surface thereof face shield attaching means; a face shield having a first pair of spaced, substantially rigid tongue members extending generally upwardly from the top portion of said face shield, said first pair of tongue members positioned so as to overlap one of the surfaces of the lower wall of said headgear and provide a ledge for receiving the lower edge of said headgear; a second pair of spaced, substantially rigid tongue members extending upwardly from the top portion of said face shield, said second pair of tongue members positioned to overlap the other surface of the lower wall of said headgear and abut against the lower portion of said headgear; said first and second pairs of tongue members arranged to position the face shield in fixed relationship with said headgear with the lower wall of said headgear positioned therebetween adjacent to said ledge and with one each of said pair of tongue members being adapted to be disposed along the margin of the headgear generally above one of the temples of a wearer to provide balanced support of said face shield; and headgear attaching means positioned in said pair of spaced outer tongue members in mating relationship with said attaching means on said headgear for securing said face shield to said headgear.
 8. Means for mounting a face shield structure witH a headgear support structure comprising: in combination, first and second plurality of substantially rigid spaced tongue members extending generally upwardly of said shield member, said first plurality of tongue members disposed on one surface of said headgear and said second plurality of tongue members disposed on the opposite side thereof to position the marginal edge of said headgear therebetween; separable fastener means for securing at least one of said plurality of tongue members to said headgear structure; and said plurality of tongue members being adapted to engage abutment means positioned on the headgear support structure to preclude rotation relative thereto. 